How to store tyres not currently in use ?

You've made the decision to equip your car with a new set of winter tyres, ready to take on winter and icy roads?

One question remains: Where to store tyres for hibernation ? It is easier to figure out where they won't go: neither in the children bedroom ( risk of puncture), nor in the kitchen (use of fats, high temperatures) or the bathroom (humidity), than to know where is the ideal place for storage.

We have summed up the key aspects of tyre storage below.

Tyres are not meant to be stored for extensive periods of time. As a general rule, storing a tyre for several months in far from perfect conditions will inflict damage on the tyre

Storage of dismounted tyres

Tyres have to be stored in a room not exposed to sunlight ( because of the corrosive effect of ozone on rubber).and at a low temperature. It is important for air to circulate freely about the room ( without being drafty).

You are generally better off storing your tyres in a basement or workshop instead of a garage or attic because of the risk of brutal temperature variations.

Tyres should be kept in an upright position in order to prevent deformation and make it easier to mount them on wheels. They shouldn't be hung or stacked in piles.

If you keep tyres with raised white markings together, it is imperative that the white markings be in contact to prevent black rubber rubbing off on white.

Alternatively, you can keep each tyre separately in a gardening plastic bag. Make sure you squeeze out as much air as possible in order to limit exposure to dust and moisture .

Tyres that come with an air chamber must be deflated by half before storage.

Make sure you carefully check the inside of the tyre before mounting as moisture can damage the metallic parts of the tyre while debris may block the air valve .

Tyres should be rolled over at regular intervals to prevent one side from caving in.

Storage of tyres mounted on wheels

Storage of tyres mounted on wheels is far preferable to the previous option. It implies however that you possess a spare set of wheels. In this case, tyres should be stacked on their sides. Contrary to tyres stored on their own, you may hung mounted tyres against a wall.

Asset :No deformation is caused by storage.

Regularly changing the orientation of tyres is advisable to prevent them from getting bent.

My tyre is slightly bent, can I still use it ?

Tyre flat spotting usually occur as a result of poor storage conditions. In most cases, they get back into shape after the first heat cycle. Note however that tyres stored in poor conditions for extended periods of time ( 6 months+) may be permanently damaged..

Some tyres are more liable to deformation than others :

Flat spotting is more likely to occur for high performance tyres because of the elastic properties of the nylon cords they contain.

Tyres with narrow aspect ratios are also more liable to flatspotting.

If the tyre is kept mounted on a wheel, pressure must be increase for higher resistance.

In all the above cases, it is imperative to keep track of the position of each tyre on the car before dismounting in order to mount them back properly. a felt pen should do the trick.

Storage of vehicles for extended periods of time

In order to not ruin your tyres in no time, a few rules should be observed if your vehicle is stored for a long time. The use of wedges is advisable in order to relieve the tyres off the weight of the vehicle. In situations where the use of wedges proved impossible, overinflate your tyres by 25%. Non observance of these rules are likely to result in your tyres being damaged beyond repair.

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